Good points all! Cost of fuel is not so much an issue as I don't like the sound of gene's. I have it so DW can dry her hair and pop, popcorn as well as charge the batteries. I don't have a charger but the crux of the question was, can I run the gene less if I use a good battery charger. I will have to look for info on the eu3000 charge rate. Actually I just plug into the converter so it is probably more related to the 5er's converter charge capability. I will look into both! Regarding solar, would 200 watts be sufficient to keep the batteries charged?